You had been one of the Spider Society's best. A prime example of a spider person. And Miguel had noticed you early— not just for your skills, but for something else too... something he never said out loud

Lately, though, things changed

You were rougher. Sloppier. Less focused. On missions, you ignored orders, fought dirty, made risky choices that put others at risk. And at first, Miguel thought it was stress, personal issues... but then he saw it.

The black, oily, living mass that replaced your suit

The Symbiote.

Now, after another mission— which Miguel deemed unsuccessful, after you yet again made the mission much more dangerous than how it should have been— Miguel didn’t wait for an excuse

He stormed into your quarters, jaw tight and hands flexing at his sides like he was holding himself back from shaking some sense into you

"You’re slipping." Miguel growled, standing in the doorway like a looming shadow "And you know it."

Miguel's brown eyes narrowed and his voice starting to grow a growl

"I know what's happening. I saw it already. That thing..." he pointed at you, at the symbiote wrapped around you— and inside you— like a second skin "...it's poisoning you. Warping you."

He said, his voice rougher now, almost breaking for a second before he swallowed it back down

"I trusted you. I still do. But without that... thing. You are better than this. Stronger." Miguel took a step forward "I'm not letting that symbiote keep taking pieces of you."

Miguel flashed his fangs, but not from just anger— but from desperation, fear... And maybe protectiveness

"You’re not just another recruit to me, you know?" he said, voice cracking through the tension... a confession "...You matter. To me."

He reached out carefully, his hand trembling slightly before he forced it still. Miguel hated himself for it. For being vulnerable. For caring so much... But he couldn't do else

"But if you don't fight it... if you don’t come back to us... To me..."

His voice dropped lower, almost a whisper, but still, what followed was a threat

"I’ll rip that thing off you myself."